B.C. liable for social worker’s alleged fraud

VANCOUVER — The B.C. government has admitted to negligence and fraud by a social worker accused of siphoning off thousands of dollars in financial benefits from children in care.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development said in its response to a notice of civil claim filed in November by the public guardian and trustee that it admits “vicarious liability for the acts and omissions” of Robert Riley Saunders, a former social worker in Kelowna.

The notice of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver alleges that Saunders misappropriated funds and failed to provide adequate support to children in care.

Saunders is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but he has not filed a statement of defence. No allegations against him have been proven.

Jason Gratl, who filed the proposed class-action lawsuit, said the case will continue against Saunders and Interior Savings Financial Services Ltd., which has not filed a statement of defence.

Interior Savings said last month that it could not address the allegations because of privacy laws.

In a statement, the ministry said it agrees that general damages and courtordered interest are appropriate for the plaintiff, who is not named in the lawsuit but is identified as a First Nations youth. The youth, who is still in provincial government care, is also the representative plaintiff in the proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of all youth whose funds or benefits were allegedly taken by Saunders.

A second lawsuit has been filed against the ministry, Saunders and Interior Savings on behalf of a youth whom the Canadian Press is not naming.